JP6299085B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a kind of recording apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a sheet or the like is known. In such an ink jet printer, in order to continuously and stably supply ink to a printer head when a relatively large amount of printing is performed, an external ink supply device ( A configuration has been proposed in which a liquid supply device is provided and ink is supplied to a printer head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Such a liquid supply device includes a large-capacity ink pack (liquid container), and ink is supplied by an ink supply tube that communicates the liquid supply device and the printer head in the main body device.

JP 2009-202346 A

  However, since the external ink supply device as described above is arranged separately from the main body device of the ink jet printer, there is a problem that a large installation space is required.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the invention is to provide a recording apparatus that can be installed without enlarging the installation space even for an ink jet printer using a large-capacity ink pack.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A recording head capable of ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, a recording medium holding unit that holds the recording medium, a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium to the recording head, the recording head, and the conveying unit A housing into which the recording medium holding unit is inserted, an insertion port that is formed on the outer surface of the housing and into which the recording medium holding unit is inserted, and a liquid container that contains the liquid; A holding body that holds the liquid container and is disposed on both outer surfaces adjacent to the outer surface of the housing where the insertion port is formed, and the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the inside of the housing. A recording unit, wherein each of the holders has a bottom, and the bottom is positioned higher than a bottom surface of the housing.

  According to this application example, the holding body is provided on the outer side surfaces on both sides adjacent to the outer side surface where the insertion port of the housing is formed, and holds the liquid container, each holding body having a bottom portion, Is positioned higher than the bottom surface of the housing. Thereby, even a recording apparatus using a large-capacity liquid container can be installed without increasing the installation space of the recording apparatus.

  Application Example 2 The recording apparatus described above, wherein the same number of liquid containers are held on the holding bodies arranged on both sides.

  According to this application example, the left and right weight balance of the recording apparatus is improved.

  Application Example 3 In the recording apparatus, the holding bodies disposed on both sides hold different numbers of the liquid containers.

  According to this application example, the volume of liquid that can be supplied to the recording head can be changed according to the type of liquid.

  Application Example 4 The recording apparatus, wherein a plurality of the liquid containers are held, and a capacity of at least one liquid container among the plurality of liquid containers is different from other liquid containers.

  According to this application example, the volume of liquid that can be supplied to the recording head can be changed according to the type of liquid.

  Application Example 5 The plurality of liquid containers include a liquid container that stores at least a black liquid, and the liquid container that stores the black liquid has a larger capacity than other liquid containers. The recording apparatus.

  According to this application example, a large amount of black liquid used can be supplied to the recording head.

  Application Example 6 The recording apparatus described above, wherein the bottom of the holding body is disposed at a position 50 mm higher than the bottom surface of the housing.

  According to this application example, it is possible to place a recording medium such as paper in a state where a part of the recording medium is overlapped with the lower part of the holding body in a state where the recording medium overlaps less than 50 mm. Therefore, the installation area of the recording apparatus including the recording medium is reduced.

  Application Example 7 In the recording apparatus, the liquid container is a flexible container.

  According to this application example, the liquid contracts as the liquid is consumed. Therefore, it can be prevented that the inside of the container becomes a negative pressure as the liquid is consumed, and the supply of the liquid to the recording head side becomes impossible.

  Application Example 8 The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming apparatus having a reading surface disposed on the housing and having a reading surface for reading a medium, and the upper surface of the holding body is connected to the reading surface of the image forming apparatus. The recording apparatus described above, wherein the recording apparatus is arranged so as to have a uniform height.

  According to this application example, a part of the document is supported on the holding body without being caught on the side surface of the holding body.

  Application Example 9 A recording head capable of ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, a transport unit for transporting the recording medium to the recording head, a housing for housing the recording head and the transport unit, and housing the liquid A plurality of liquid containers, a holder disposed on an outer surface of the casing, and configured to hold the plurality of liquid containers so as not to overlap in the height direction of the casing; and from the liquid container to the casing And a supply unit for supplying the liquid to the inside of the body, wherein the holding body has a bottom portion, and the bottom portion is arranged to be higher than the bottom surface of the housing. apparatus.

  According to this application example, the holding body has the bottom portion, and is arranged so that the bottom portion is positioned higher than the bottom surface of the housing. Thereby, even a recording apparatus using a large-capacity liquid container can be installed without increasing the installation space of the recording apparatus.

  [Application Example 10] The application example further includes a recording medium holding unit for holding the recording medium, and an insertion port for inserting the recording medium holding unit formed on an outer surface of the casing, wherein the holding body is the casing. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is disposed on an outer surface on both sides adjacent to an outer surface on which the insertion port of the body is formed.

  According to this application example, the holding body is disposed on the outer side surfaces on both sides adjacent to the outer side surface where the insertion port of the housing is formed. This increases the volume of liquid that can be supplied to the recording head.

  Application Example 11 The recording apparatus described above, wherein the same number of liquid containers are held on the holding bodies arranged on both sides.

  According to this application example, the left and right weight balance of the recording apparatus is improved.

  Application Example 12 In the recording apparatus, the holding bodies disposed on both sides hold different numbers of the liquid containers.

  According to this application example, the volume of liquid that can be supplied to the recording head can be changed according to the type of liquid.

  Application Example 13 The recording apparatus, wherein a plurality of the liquid containers are held, and a capacity of at least one liquid container among the plurality of liquid containers is different from other liquid containers.

  According to this application example, the volume of liquid that can be supplied to the recording head can be changed according to the type of liquid.

  Application Example 14 The plurality of liquid containers include a liquid container that stores at least a black liquid, and the liquid container that stores the black liquid has a larger capacity than other liquid containers. The recording apparatus.

  According to this application example, a large amount of black liquid used can be supplied to the recording head.

  Application Example 15 In the recording apparatus, the bottom portion of the holding body is disposed at a position 50 mm higher than the bottom surface of the housing.

  According to this application example, it is possible to place a recording medium such as paper in a state where a part of the recording medium is overlapped with the lower part of the holding body in a state where the recording medium overlaps less than 50 mm. Therefore, the installation area of the recording apparatus including the recording medium is reduced.

  Application Example 16 In the recording apparatus, the liquid container is a flexible container.

  According to this application example, the liquid contracts as the liquid is consumed. Therefore, it can be prevented that the inside of the container becomes a negative pressure as the liquid is consumed, and the supply of the liquid to the recording head side becomes impossible.

  Application Example 17 The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming apparatus having a reading device that is disposed on the housing and has a reading surface for reading a medium, and the upper surface of the holding body is connected to the reading surface of the image forming apparatus. The recording apparatus described above, wherein the recording apparatus is arranged so as to have a uniform height.

  According to this application example, a part of the document is supported on the holding body without being caught on the side surface of the holding body.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state when an auto document feeder is opened in the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the image forming system. The principal part enlarged view of FIG. The perspective view of the container main body in the case of the ink supply apparatus of an image forming system. The side view when the inside of the container body is viewed from the left side. The perspective view when the inside of the housing of the ink jet printer of the image forming system is viewed from the right side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a joint portion between the ink supply device and the ink jet printer in the image forming system. The perspective view when the image forming apparatus of the image forming system is viewed from the left side. The perspective view when a container main body is seen from the left side. The perspective view of an ink container. FIG. 3 is a partially broken perspective view showing a state when the inside of the ink supply device is viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer in which an extension cassette unit is mounted on the lower part of the main device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer including a lid member in a reading unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer provided with an ink supply device that stores one ink container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer provided with an ink supply device on outer side surfaces on both sides of the main body device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer in which a cutout portion is provided in a cover of the printing unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer in which a through hole is provided in a cover of a printing unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer in which a connection tube passes between a cover of a printing unit and a housing. The perspective view which shows the part of the connection tube which passes along the notch provided between the reading part and the printing part. The perspective view which shows the part of the connection tube which passes the clearance gap formation member provided between the reading part and the printing part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer provided with ink supply devices on both the left and right sides of the main body device. The perspective view which shows the ink container accommodated in the flame | frame. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply device including a cover in which part of an upper portion, a side portion, a front portion, and a rear portion are integrated.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 11 serving as a recording apparatus includes a printing unit 12 and an original G (medium) that form an image by ejecting ink (liquid). A main body device 14 having a reading unit 13 as an image reading unit to be read and an ink supply device 15 as an example of a liquid supply device that supplies ink to the printing unit 12 are provided. The reading unit 13 is disposed on the printing unit 12.

  The reading unit 13 has a reading surface 13a for reading the document G at the upper end thereof. An auto document feeder 16 is disposed on the reading unit 13 so that the reading surface 13a can be opened and closed. The auto document feeder 16 sequentially feeds the plurality of stacked originals G onto the reading surface 13a while inverting the sheets one by one.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink supply device 15 is attached to the left side of the main body device 14. The ink supply device 15 is attached to the left side wall of the main device 14 so that the bottom wall forming member 50 is positioned higher than the bottom surface of the main device 14. As a result, the ink supply device 15 is disposed in a state where the bottom wall forming member 50 is separated from the installation surface, so that the installation area as the printer 11 does not increase.

  The ink supply device 15 is an example of a plurality of (four in this embodiment) substantially rectangular ink containers 17 as an example of a liquid container in which ink is stored, and a holding body that holds each ink container 17. As a case 18. The case 18 has a bottomed rectangular box-shaped container body 20 having an opening 19 for accommodating each ink container 17 at the upper end and a long bottomed rectangular box, and a lid 21 that covers the opening 19 so as to be freely opened and closed. I have. Both the container body 20 and the lid body 21 are made of a synthetic resin material.

  In the container body 20, four ink containers 17 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The four ink containers 17 contain cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink in order from the rear side to the front side. In this case, the ink container 17 of the black ink that is frequently used is arranged on the foremost side in the container body 20.

  The case 18 is detachably attached to the left side surface of the printing unit 12 (main body device 14) so that the upper surface of the case 18 is flush with the reading surface 13a when the lid 21 is closed. . Here, in this specification, “the heights are uniform” includes not only the same height but also the case where the height difference is within 2 centimeter mail. In the present embodiment, the height of the case 18 is 5 millimeters lower than the height of the reading surface 13a.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the printing unit 12 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 25 that is long in the left-right direction. A support base 26 that supports a sheet P as an example of a target to be described later is provided at the center of the housing 25. A carriage 27 that can reciprocate in the left-right direction, which is the main scanning direction, is provided above the support base 26.

  A recording head 28 that ejects ink is supported in the carriage 27 so as to be exposed from the lower surface of the carriage 27. The recording head 28 faces the support base 26. The recording head 28 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles (not shown) onto the paper P conveyed from the rear side to the front side on the support base 26 while the carriage 27 moves in the left-right direction. The paper P is printed.

  In addition, an opening 30 is provided in the lower portion of the front center of the housing 25 below the support base 26 in the housing 25. The opening 30 is an insertion port into which a paper cassette 29 as a recording medium holding unit that can store a plurality of papers P in a stacked state is detachably attached to the housing 25. The paper P in the paper cassette 29 is fed from the rear side onto the support table 26 while being reversed one by one by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown).

  Then, the paper P printed on the support base 26 is sequentially discharged from a paper discharge port 31 constituted by an area above the paper cassette 29 in the opening 30. A paper discharge tray 32 that sequentially supports the paper P sequentially discharged from the paper discharge port 31 is provided on the upper side of the paper cassette 29 so as to be extendable in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, at the left end in the housing 25, a holder case 34 having a rectangular box shape with an opening on the front side, and left and right sides provided on the bottom wall (rear wall) in the holder case 34. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) hollow ink supply needles 35 arranged in the direction are provided.

  Each ink supply needle 35 extends in the front-rear direction and penetrates the side wall of the holder case 34. One end side of a flexible ink supply tube 36 is connected to the rear end portion of each ink supply needle 35, and the other end side of the ink supply tube 36 is connected to the recording head 28. In the printing unit 12 of the present embodiment, these four ink supply needles 35 are configured to be supplied with cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively, from left to right.

  When the ink color is used as a reference, the arrangement order of the ink supply needles 35 from the left side to the right side in the holder case 34 is the arrangement order of the ink containers 17 from the rear side to the front side in the container body 20. Is the same. Further, each ink container 17 and each ink supply needle 35 are connected flexibly as an example of a flow path member that constitutes a part of the ink supply device 15 so that the ink of each color supplied corresponds. Connected by a tube 37.

  A valve body (not shown) is provided on the upper part of the ink container 17, and the valve body operates by rotating the cap 87 in the direction of pushing down. The inside of the ink container 17, the connection tube 37, and the like. Will be in communication.

  Accordingly, each ink supplied from each ink container 17 of the ink supply device 15 to each ink supply needle 35 via each connection tube 37 is supplied to the recording head 28 via each ink supply tube 36.

Next, the configuration of the case 18 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid 21 of the case 18 has a covered rectangular box shape that has an opening 40 on the container body 20 side and is long in the front-rear direction and shallower than the container body 20. The lid body 21 is connected to the upper end portion on the rear surface of the container body 20 via the hinge portion 41 of FIG. Therefore, when the lid 21 is opened and closed, the lid 21 rotates about the hinge portion 41 as a fulcrum. That is, the lid 21 is opened from the front side of the container body 20 and is closed on the front side of the container body 20. Note that the opening 21 of the lid 21 is aligned with the opening 19 when the opening 19 of the container body 20 is closed.

  3 and 5, the bottomed rectangular box-shaped container body 20 includes a right side wall 45 that is a wall facing the printing unit 12, a left side wall 46 that is opposed to the right side wall 45, a right side wall 45, and A rear side wall 47 and a front side wall 48 orthogonal to the left side wall 46, and a right side wall 45, a left side wall 46, a rear side wall 47 and a bottom wall 49 orthogonal to the front side wall 48 are provided.

  An opening 19 is provided on the side facing the bottom wall 49. In other words, the opening 19 is opposed to the bottom wall 49 and is formed above the bottom wall 49 in the direction of gravity. In the present embodiment, the right side wall 45, the left side wall 46, the rear side wall 47, and the front side wall 48 constitute a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, respectively. Further, the distance between the right side wall 45 and the left side wall 46 in the container body 20 is shorter than the width of the upper end side (one end side) of the ink container 17.

  The container body 20 includes a bottomed rectangular box-shaped bottom wall forming member 50 that forms the bottom wall 49, a plate-like right wall forming member 51 that forms the right half of the side wall and is curved in a substantially U shape, A plate-like left side wall forming member 52 that forms the left half of the opening 19 and is curved in a substantially U shape, and a hollow, rectangular frame-shaped edge member 53 that is open at the lower side that forms the peripheral edge of the opening 19. ing.

  And the container main body 20 is comprised by combining the right side wall formation member 51 as an example of a division member, and the left side wall formation member 52 as an example of a division member. That is, the side wall of the container body 20 is configured by combining the right side wall forming member 51 and the left side wall forming member 52 which are two divided members divided into left and right.

  The vertical width of the left side wall forming member 52 is slightly wider than the vertical width of the right side wall forming member 51. Accordingly, a step 54 is formed at a position corresponding to a contact portion between the left wall forming member 52 and the right wall forming member 51 at the lower end portion of the edge member 53 and the upper end portion of the bottom wall forming member 50.

  The left wall forming member 52 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. Accordingly, each ink container 17 accommodated inside the container body 20 is visible from the outside of the container body 20 through the left side wall forming member 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a right protruding portion 55 that protrudes inward (left side) is formed on the right inner surface of the edge member 53 in accordance with the number of ink containers 17. In the present embodiment, the ink has four colors, and the right protrusion 55 is not required in the ink container 17 arranged on the rearmost side, so that three right protrusions 55 are formed. become. Each right protrusion part 55 is arrange | positioned so that it may become equal intervals in the front-back direction. Each right projecting portion 55 has a substantially covered triangular box shape whose lower side is opened in accordance with the shape of each tongue piece portion 70 to 72 (see FIG. 6) described later. In this case, each right protruding portion 55 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above, and the two sides of the protruding triangle are shorter on the rear side than on the front side.

  As an example of a support portion for supporting the ink container 17 by a support member 92 (see FIG. 11) described later, a position overlapping the front side of each right protrusion portion 55 on the upper surface of the edge member 53 and a right rear corner portion. A right recess 56 is formed. These four right concave portions 56 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction and have a shape that matches the shape of a part of the support member 92. A notch recess 56 a is formed at the center of the bottom surface of each right recess 56.

  In addition, a notch portion 57 as an example of an insertion portion extending upward from the lower end is formed in the vicinity of the right front corner portion of the rear surface of each right protruding portion 55 and the right inner surface of the edge member 53. Yes. The connection tubes 37 on the ink container 17 side can be inserted through the four cutout portions 57, respectively. In addition, each notch part 57 is arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the front-back direction.

  On the left inner surface of the edge member 53, a left protruding portion 58 protruding inward (right side) is formed according to the number of ink containers 17. In the present embodiment, the ink has four colors, and the left protrusion 58 is not necessary for the ink container 17 disposed on the foremost side. Therefore, three left protrusions 58 are formed. Become. Each left protrusion 58 is arranged at a position slightly shifted to the front side of each right protrusion 55 in the front-rear direction. The left protrusions 58 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. Each left protrusion 58 has a substantially covered triangular box shape with an opening on the lower side. In this case, each left protruding portion 58 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above, and the two sides of the protruding triangle are longer on the rear side than on the front side.

  As an example of a support portion for supporting the ink container 17 by a support member 92 (see FIG. 11) described later, a position overlapping the rear side of each left protrusion 58 on the upper surface of the edge member 53 and a left front corner portion. A left recess 59 is formed. These four left concave portions 59 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction and have a shape that matches the shape of a part of the support member 92. A notch recess 59 a is formed at the center of the bottom surface of each left recess 59. And each left recessed part 59 has opposed each right recessed part 56 in the direction which cross | intersects at an angle of less than 90 degree | times (this embodiment 30 degree | times) with respect to the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a container-side insertion hole 61 as an example of an insertion portion into which each connection tube 37 can be inserted is formed at the front position of the upper end portion of the inner side surface of the right side wall forming member 51. Has been. The right side wall forming member 51 is attached to the left side wall 25a of the casing 25 from the inside of the container body 20 by a plurality of (six in this embodiment) screws 62.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the right side wall forming member 51 is joined together with the left side wall 25a and the two rectangular sheet metal members 63 that are arranged inside the left side wall 25a at intervals in the front-rear direction. Are attached to the left side wall 25a of the casing 25 by fastening them together with six screws 62.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a housing side insertion hole 64 through which each connection tube 37 is inserted is formed at a position corresponding to the container side insertion hole 61 in the left side wall 25 a of the housing 25. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each connection tube 37 whose downstream end is connected to each ink supply needle 35 is inserted into the housing side insertion hole 64 and the container side insertion hole 61. The upstream end side is disposed in the container body 20.

  Since the housing side insertion hole 64 is not exposed in the state where the ink supply device 15 is attached, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the printer 11 from deteriorating.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the black ink in each connection tube 37 inserted through the container side insertion hole 61 is located at the position from the lower side to the front side of the container side insertion hole 61 on the inner side surface of the right side wall forming member 51. An L-shaped first tube support portion 65 that supports one corresponding to is provided so as to be adjacent to the container side insertion hole 61. In addition, on the rear side of the container side insertion hole 61 at the upper end portion of the inner side surface of the right side wall forming member 51, four plate-like ribs extending parallel to each other in the front-rear direction are leftward at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Projected horizontally.

  These four ribs have their front ends aligned with each other, and are formed as a first rib 66, a second rib 67, a third rib 68, and a fourth rib 69 in order from the bottom to the top. The length of the first rib 66 is shorter than the length of the second rib 67 in the front-rear direction, and the length of the second rib 67 is shorter than the length of the third rib 68 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the length of the third rib 68 and the length of the fourth rib 69 are the same in the front-rear direction.

  As an example of a plate-like support portion that protrudes horizontally toward the inner side (left side) of the ribs 66 to 68 at the rear ends of the first rib 66, the second rib 67, and the third rib 68. The first tongue piece portion 70, the second tongue piece portion 71, and the third tongue piece portion 72 are integrally provided. The first to third tongue pieces 70 to 72 prevent the connection tubes 37 from hanging down by supporting the end portions of the connection tubes 37 on the ink container 17 side. Each tongue piece part 70-72 is arrange | positioned so that it may mutually become equal intervals in the front-back direction, and the width | variety of the left-right direction is widened toward the back. In this case, each tongue piece part 70-72 is arrange | positioned so as to correspond with each right protrusion part 55 (refer FIG. 5) of the edge member 53. As shown in FIG. In addition, each tongue piece part 70-72 is covered by each right protrusion part 55 mentioned above.

  Supplement is made so that the first to fourth ribs 66 to 69 are sandwiched in the vertical direction between the first tongue piece portion 70 and the container side insertion hole 61 in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the inner side surface of the right side wall forming member 51. A pair of through-holes 77 as an example of the part are formed. Between the 1st tongue piece part 70 and the 2nd tongue piece part 71 in the front-back direction of the upper end part of the inner surface of the right side wall formation member 51, the 2nd-4th ribs 67-69 are pinched | interposed in an up-down direction. A pair of through holes 77 are formed.

  Between the second tongue piece portion 71 and the third tongue piece portion 72 in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the inner side surface of the right wall forming member 51, the third rib 68 and the fourth rib 69 are sandwiched in the vertical direction. A pair of through holes 77 are formed. By connecting the ends of the wires 78 to each pair of through-holes 77 through the wires 78, the connection tubes 37 are securely held.

  Next, the configuration of the ink container will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11A, each ink container 17 includes an ink bag 90 as an example of a liquid container that stores ink. A support member (hanger member) 92 constituting a liquid container support portion supported by the container body 20 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the upper end side (one end side) of the ink bag 90. That is, the ink bag 90 is engaged with the support member 92.

  The ink bag 90 is formed by welding the peripheral edges of the two flexible films 90a with a cylindrical ink lead-out portion (not shown) sandwiched between the peripheral edges of the two rectangular flexible films 90a. Is done. That is, the ink bag 90 is a bag body constituted by the flexible film 90a that becomes two opposing flexible walls, and the two flexible films 90a that face each other due to the consumption of the ink contained therein. It is formed to be close to each other. In the present embodiment, the flexible portion is constituted by the two flexible films 90 a constituting the ink bag 90.

  As a result, the ink bag 90 contracts as the ink is consumed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink bag 90 from becoming negative pressure as the ink is consumed, and the ink supply to the recording head 28 from being disabled.

  The support member 92 of each ink container 17 includes a first support member 105 and a second support member 106 that are attached to the upper end portion of the ink bag 90 so as to sandwich the upper end portion. In addition, columnar convex portions 123 that are inserted into ink bag through holes (not shown) formed in the ink bag 90 are respectively provided at both end portions of the second support member 106. Further, the second support member 106 is formed with an engagement notch recess 130 that engages with the protrusion 123 inserted through the ink bag through hole.

  Next, the operation when setting each ink container 17 filled with ink in the case 18 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, when setting each ink container 17 in the case 18, first, after opening the lid 21, the ink container 17 is placed in the container through the opening 19 of the container body 20. Housed in the main body 20. At this time, the protrusions 122 provided at both ends of the first support member 105 of each ink containing body 17 are opposed to the right concave portion 56 and the left facing in a direction obliquely intersecting with the left-right direction at an angle of 30 degrees. The recess 59 is supported.

  Then, both ends of the first support member 105 are inserted into the notch recess 56a (see FIG. 5) and the notch recess 59a (see FIG. 5), respectively. Thus, the ink containers 17 are accommodated in the container body 20 side by side in the front-rear direction while being detachably supported so as to obliquely intersect at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the left-right direction. In this case, each ink container 17 is suspended from the right concave portion 56 and the left concave portion 59 of the container main body 20 on the support member 92 located on the upper end side (one end side). For this reason, each ink container 17 is in a state of floating from the inner bottom surface of the container body 20.

  In addition, each ink container 17 has its lower end lowered (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12) as its thickness decreases as the ink in the ink bag 90 is consumed. Even when the ink in 90 becomes empty, the state of floating from the inner bottom surface of the container body 20 is maintained.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, by closing the lid 21, the setting operation of each ink container 17 to the case 18 is completed. When each ink container 17 is set in the case 18, the ink in each ink container 17 is supplied to the recording head 28 via each connection tube 37. Each ink supplied to the recording head 28 is ejected onto the paper P from each nozzle (not shown) of the recording head 28 to perform printing.

  When the ink in each ink container 17 is consumed by printing on the paper P, the ink bag 90 of each ink container 17 gradually shrinks as the ink is consumed. At this time, since the left side wall forming member 52 constituting the container body 20 of the case 18 is transparent, each ink container 17 in the case 18 from outside the case 18 through the left side wall forming member 52 without opening the lid 21. The degree of deflation (displacement state) of the ink bag 90 can be visually confirmed.

  In this case, in particular, the left side wall forming member 52 occupies most of the left half of the front side surface and the rear side surface of the container body 20 as well as most of the left side surface of the container body 20. In addition, the ink containers 17 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction in the case 18 so as to be parallel to each other in an inclined state so that the left side is positioned in front of the right side.

  Accordingly, the deflation of the ink bags 90 of all the ink containers 17 in the case 18 can be visually recognized from the front side of the case 18 from the outside of the case 18. For this reason, it is possible to recognize the replacement time of each ink container from the deflation of the ink bag 90 of each ink container 17.

  The printer 11 described above includes a recording head 28 that can eject ink onto the paper P, a transport unit that transports the paper P to the recording head 28, a housing 25 that houses the recording head 28 and the transport unit, and a bottom. The wall forming member 50 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 25 so as to be higher than the bottom surface of the housing 25, and the case 18 as a holding body for holding the ink containing body 17 for containing ink, and the ink containing body 17 And a supply unit for supplying ink to the recording head 28.

  According to this configuration, the bottom wall forming member 50 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 25 so as to be higher than the bottom surface of the housing 25, and includes the case 18 that holds the ink container 17 that stores ink. Thereby, even the printer 11 using the large-capacity ink container 17 can be installed without increasing the installation space of the printer 11.

  In the present embodiment, the ink supply device 15 having the case 18 is provided on the left side surface of the main body device 14 (one outer side adjacent to the outer surface on which the opening 30 that is the insertion port of the housing 25 is formed). An ink supply device having a case holding the ink container 17 may be provided on the right side surface of the main body device 14 (the other outside adjacent to the outer surface on which the opening 30 is formed).

  The capacity of at least one ink container 17 among the plurality of ink containers 17 may be different from that of the other ink containers 17. According to this, the volume of the liquid that can be supplied to the recording head can be changed according to the type of the liquid.

  For example, the plurality of ink containers 17 include at least an ink container 17 that stores black ink, and the ink containers 17 that store black ink have a larger capacity than the other ink containers 17. As a result, a large amount of black ink used can be supplied to the recording head 28.

  The bottom wall forming member 50 of the case 18 may be disposed at a position 50 mm higher than the bottom surface of the housing 25. As a result, a recording medium such as paper can be placed in a state where a part of the recording medium is overlapped with the lower portion of the case 18 in a state where the recording medium is overlapped to less than 50 mm. Therefore, the installation area of the printer 11 including the recording medium placed on the left side of the main device 14 is reduced.

  The ink container 17 does not necessarily have to be suspended while the both ends of the support member 92 are supported by the right recess 56 and the left recess 59 of the case 18. That is, the ink container 17 may be stored in a state where it is placed on the inner bottom surface of the case 18. In this case, the inner bottom surface (bottom wall 49) of the case 18 functions as a support portion that supports the ink container 17.

  A rigid support portion having a shape that can be supported by the right concave portion 56 and the left concave portion 59 of the case 18 at the upper end portion (one end side on the cap 87 side) of the ink container 17 as a liquid container support portion. It may be provided in place of the support member 92. In this way, the ink container 17 can be handled by gripping the support portion. For this reason, the attachment / detachment work with respect to the right recessed part 56 and the left recessed part 59 of the case 18 of the ink container 17 can be performed easily.

  The ink container 17 is not necessarily supported by the right concave portion 56 and the left concave portion 59 of the case 18 via the support member 92. The distance between the right side wall 45 and the left side wall 46 in the case 18 is not necessarily shorter than the width of the ink container 17.

  The case 18 holds the plurality of ink containers 17 so that they do not overlap in the height direction of the housing 25. As a result, the ink containers 17 are not affected by each other, and the ink can be used up to the end.

  The case 18 does not necessarily need to have the transparent left side wall forming member 52 that can visually recognize the deflation of the ink bag 90 accompanying the consumption of the ink in the ink container 17. The opening 19 of the case 18 is not necessarily provided at the upper end of the container body 20, and may be provided on the side surface of the container body 20.

  The lid 21 of the case 18 may be omitted. The ink bag 90 does not necessarily have to be entirely composed of the flexible film 90a. That is, part of the ink bag 90 may be configured by a flexible portion made of a flexible material. The material constituting the flexible portion of the ink bag 90 may be transparent or opaque.

  The side wall of the container body 20 of the case 18 does not necessarily need to be configured by combining the right side wall forming member 51 and the left side wall forming member 52 that are divided into left and right. That is, the side wall of the container body 20 may be configured by combining three or more divided members, or may be configured by one member that is not divided.

  The through hole 77 formed in the container body 20 of the case 18 may be omitted. The cutout portion 57 provided in the edge member 53 of the case 18 may be omitted. Instead of the notch portion 57, the edge member 53 of the case 18 may be provided with a hole through which the connection tube 37 can be inserted as an insertion portion. The right side wall forming member 51 and the left side wall forming member 52 constituting the container body 20 may be formed in a plate shape bent in an L shape.

  You may make it match | combine the color of each cap 87, and the color of the ink accommodated in each ink container 17 corresponding to each cap 87. FIG. In this way, it is possible to prevent the cap 87 from being connected to the wrong ink container 17.

  In the printer 11, the case 18 does not necessarily need to be detachably attached to the printing unit 12 of the main body device 14. That is, the case 18 may be fixed to the printing unit 12 of the main body device 14.

  In the printer 11, the height of the case 18 does not necessarily need to be lower than the height of the reading surface 13a. That is, the height of the case 18 may be the same as the height of the reading surface 13a or higher than the height of the reading surface 13a.

Next, an operation when the document G larger than the reading surface 13a is read by the reading unit 13 of the printer 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the reading unit 13 reads a document G larger than the reading surface 13a, first, the auto document feeder 16 is opened to expose the reading surface 13a. Subsequently, the area to be read in the original G is accommodated on the reading surface 13a and a part of the original G that protrudes from the reading surface 13a is positioned on the case 18 (on the lid 21). Place the original G.

At this time, the height of the case 18 is aligned with the height of the reading surface 13a. That is, the height of the case 18 is 5 millimeters lower than the height of the reading surface 13a.
Therefore, a part of the document G is supported on the case 18 without being caught on the side surface of the case 18. When the reading unit 13 is operated with the auto document feeder 16 closed, an area on the reading surface 13a of the original G is read.

As described above, since a part of the document G protruding from the reading surface 13a is supported by the case 18, the position of the document G is stabilized and the document G can be accurately read by the reading unit 13.
(Example of change)
The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment as described below.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the printer 11 in which the extension cassette unit 141 is mounted on the lower part of the main body device 14. As shown in FIG. 13, in the printer 11, an extension cassette unit 141 having an extension paper cassette 140 may be mounted below the main body device 14.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the printer 11 including the lid member 146 in the reading unit 13. As shown in FIG. 14, in the printer 11, the auto document feeder 16 may be changed to a lid member 146 that can open and close the reading surface 13a. Further, the reading unit 13 may be omitted and the lid member 146 may be changed to open the upper surface of the printing unit 12.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the printer 11 including the ink supply device 15 a that stores one ink container 17. FIG. 11B shows the ink container 17 of FIG. 3 and the ink container 17 a having a larger size than the ink container 17. The configuration of the ink container 17a is the same as that of the ink container 17 although the size is different.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the printer 11, when the printing unit 12 is a monochrome printer that uses only black ink, the printer 11 includes an ink supply device 15 a that arranges one ink container 17 a that contains black ink. May be. In this case, the ink container 17a is stored such that the width direction thereof is the front-rear direction. In FIG. 15, the lid 21 that covers the opening 19 so as to be freely opened and closed is omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the printer 11 including the ink supply devices 15 a and 15 b on the outer side surfaces on both sides in the left-right direction of the main body device 14. As shown in FIG. 16, the ink supply devices 15 a and 15 b may be arranged on the left side surface and the right side surface of the main body device 14, respectively. In this case, for example, the ink supply device 15 a disposed on the left side surface of the main body device 14 is provided with an ink container 17 a that stores black ink, and the ink supply device 15 b disposed on the right side surface of the main body device 14. In this case, an ink container 17 that contains cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is disposed. Similar to the ink supply device 15a, a connection tube 37 for supplying ink from the ink supply device 15b to the recording head 28 is disposed.

  With this configuration, it is possible to increase the capacities of the ink containers 17 that store cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink stored in the right ink supply device 15b. Further, since the ink container 17a that contains only black ink is disposed in the left ink supply device 15a, it is possible to increase the capacity of the ink container 17a that contains black ink that is frequently used.

  On the other hand, an ink supply device that contains an ink container 17 that contains cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is arranged on the left side, and an ink supply device that contains an ink container 17a that contains black ink is on the right side. It may be arranged. The outer diameters of the ink supply device 15a and the ink supply device 15b may be substantially the same or different.

  The ink supply devices 15 a and 15 b are respectively attached to the left side wall and the right side wall of the printing unit 12 so that the bottom wall forming member 50 is positioned higher than the printing unit 12. Accordingly, the ink supply devices 15a and 15b are arranged in a state in which the bottom wall forming member is separated from the installation surface in the same manner as the bottom wall forming member 50 in FIG. Even if it is the structure arrange | positioned on both sides of this, the installation area (grounding area) of the printer 11 does not increase.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the printer 11 in which the notch 330 is provided in the cover 33 of the printing unit 12. As shown in FIG. 17, a notch 330 is provided at the left end of the cover 33. The cover 33 is rotatably provided above the paper discharge tray 32.

  Ink may be supplied from the ink supply device 15 to the recording head 28 housed in the housing of the printing unit 12 via the connection tube 37 passing through the gap formed by the notch 330. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the printer 11 in which a through hole 331 is provided in the cover 33 of the printing unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a through hole 331 is provided in the left end portion of the cover 33. The cover 33 is provided so as to be rotatable in a state where the connection tube 37 passes through the through hole 331. Ink may be supplied from the ink supply device 15 to the recording head 28 housed inside the housing of the printing unit 12 via the connection tube 37 passing through the gap formed by the through hole 331.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the printer 11 through which the connection tube 37 passes between the cover 33 and the housing of the printing unit 12. As shown in FIG. 19, the cover 33 that is an opening / closing member is slightly opened, and the connection tube 37 is sandwiched between the casing of the printing unit 12 and the adhesive tape-like member 332 is used as a fixing member. Fixed by. Ink may be supplied from the ink container 17 to the recording head 28 housed inside the housing 25 via a connection tube 37 that passes through the gap between the cover 33 and the housing of the printing unit 12.

  According to this, the ink is supplied from the ink container 17 disposed outside the housing 25 to the recording head 28 housed inside the housing 25 without processing the housing 25 and the cover 33.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the connection tube 37 that passes through the notch 38 provided between the reading unit 13 and the printing unit 12. The reading unit 13 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the printing unit 12 and also functions as a cover unit of the printing unit 12. In this embodiment, the reading unit 13 also serves as the lid of the printing unit 12, but the lid may be a simple lid that does not have a function as a reading unit.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a notch 38 is provided at the upper left end of the casing 25 of the printing unit 12. In the state where the reading unit 13 is closed with respect to the printing unit 12, a gap is formed by the notch 38. The connection tube 37 passes through the notch 38 and ink is supplied from the ink supply device 15 to the recording head 28 via the connection tube 37.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the connection tube 37 that passes through the gap forming member 39 provided between the reading unit 13 and the printing unit 12. The reading unit 13 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the printing unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 21, a gap forming member 39 is provided at the upper left end portion of the casing 25 of the printing unit 12. In a state where the reading unit 13 is closed with respect to the printing unit 12, a gap is formed by the gap forming member 39. The connection tube 37 passes through the through hole 39 a of the gap forming member 39, and ink is supplied from the ink supply device 15 to the recording head 28 via the connection tube 37.

  As a result, the connecting tube 37 is not pressed and deformed by being sandwiched between the reading unit 13 and the housing 25, and thus the ink flow in the connecting tube 37 is not suppressed.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the printer 11 including the ink supply devices 15 and 15 c on the left and right sides of the main body device 14. As shown in FIG. 22, the ink supply device 15 may be provided on the left side of the main device 14, and the ink supply device 15 c may be provided on the right side of the main device 14. Similar to the ink supply device 15, a plurality of ink containers 17 are accommodated in the case 18 a of the ink supply device 15 c.

  The lid 21a and the container main body 20a constituting the case 18a are symmetrical to the lid 21 and the container main body 20 constituting the case 18. That is, the left side wall forming member 51a, the right side wall forming member 52a, and the bottom wall forming member 50a constituting the container body 20a are the right side wall forming member 51, the left side wall forming member 52, and the bottom wall forming member 50 constituting the container body 20, respectively. And symmetrically configured.

  Similarly to the left wall forming member 52, the right wall forming member 52a is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. Accordingly, each ink container 17 accommodated inside the container body 20a is visible from the outside of the container body 20a through the right side wall forming member 52a.

  Similarly to the ink supply device 15, the ink supply device 15 c is attached to the right side wall of the main body device 14 so that the bottom wall forming member 50 a is positioned higher than the bottom surface of the main body device 14.

  With the configuration in which the container main bodies 20 and 20a are arranged on both sides of the main body device 14, the number of the ink containers 17 can be increased, so that the ink capacity can be increased. In addition, since the ink container 17 that stores ink colors such as light cyan and light magenta can be disposed, the number of ink colors can be increased.

  Further, the same number of ink containers 17 may be held in the container main bodies 20 and 20 a disposed on both sides of the main body device 14. According to this, the left and right weight balance of the printer 11 is improved.

  In addition, a plurality of ink containers 17 are held in one container body 20 (20 a), and the capacity of at least one ink container 17 among the plurality of ink containers 17 is different from the other ink containers 17. You may make it. According to this, the volume of ink that can be supplied to the recording head 28 can be changed according to the color of ink (type of liquid).

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the ink containing body 17 housed in the frame 160. Both end portions of the first support member 105 provided on the upper portion of the ink container 17 are supported by the upper end surface 161 of the frame 160. The frame 160 is attached to the side surface of the main device 14. Thus, the holding body that holds the ink containing body 17 may be configured by the frame 160.

  24A and 24B are perspective views of the ink supply device 150 including the cover 152 in which the upper part and the side part are integrated. The ink supply device 150 in FIG. 24A is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow with respect to the storage box 154 with the fulcrum 153 as a rotation fulcrum. FIG. 24A shows a state where the cover 152 is closed, and FIG. 24B shows a state where the cover 152 is opened. Note that FIG. 24B does not show the ink container 17.

  In the cover 152 of FIG. 24B, an upper part 152c, a side part 152b, a front part 152a, and a rear part 152d are integrated. That is, the upper part 152c is connected to the side part 152b. Side part 152b is connected to front part 152a formed on the left side from the center in the front part. The side surface portion 152b is connected to a back surface portion 152d formed on the left side from the center of the back surface portion. The upper part 152c, the side part 152b, the front part 152a, and the rear part 152d may have a configuration in which separated members are connected.

  The front portion 151 a of the cover 151 covers the right front half of the storage box 154, and the back portion 151 b of the cover 151 covers the rear right half of the storage box 154. Inside the covers 151 and 152, a rectangular box-like storage box 154 for storing the ink storage body 17 is provided. The storage box 154 functions as a holding body that holds the ink storage body 17.

  The cover 152 has an upper portion 152c of the storage box 154 in the closed state, a side surface portion 152b connected to the lower side from the upper portion 152c, a front surface portion 152a, and a rear surface portion 152d, and is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the storage box 154. .

  According to this, when the cover 152 is opened, the range in which the storage box 154 is exposed increases. Thereby, the operation | work when accommodating the ink container 17 in the storage box 154, or taking out from the storage box 154 becomes easy.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet printer, 12 ... Printing part, 13 ... Reading part, 13a ... Reading surface, 14 ... Main body apparatus, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 150 ... Ink supply apparatus, 17, 17a ... Ink container, 18, 18a ... case, 25 ... housing, 28 ... recording head, 29 ... paper cassette, 30 ... opening, 50 ... bottom wall forming member, 154 ... container box, 160 ... frame, 331 ... through hole, G ... original, P ... paper.

Claims (11)

A recording head capable of ejecting liquid onto a recording medium;
A recording medium holding unit for holding the recording medium;
A transport unit for transporting the recording medium to the recording head;
A housing that houses the recording head and the transport unit, and into which the recording medium holding unit is inserted;
An insertion port formed on the outer surface of the housing for inserting the recording medium holding unit;
A liquid container having flexibility and containing the liquid;
A holding body for holding the liquid container, which is disposed on both outer surfaces adjacent to the outer surface on which the insertion port of the housing is formed;
A supply unit for supplying the liquid from the liquid container into the housing;
With
Each of the holding bodies has a bottom portion, and the bottom portion is arranged to be higher than the bottom surface of the housing.
A support member is attached to the liquid container in a state of being held by the holding body, and is detachably held by the holding member by the support member, and the supply unit is connected via the support member. ,
The recording apparatus, wherein the holding body is suspended and held in a state where a lower end of the liquid container is floated from an inner bottom surface of the holding body.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an equal number of the liquid containers are held by the holding bodies arranged on both sides.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein different numbers of the liquid containers are held on the holding bodies arranged on both sides.   A plurality of the liquid containers are held, and a capacity of at least one liquid container among the plurality of liquid containers is different from other liquid containers. A recording apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The plurality of liquid containers include a liquid container that stores at least a black liquid, and the liquid container that stores the black liquid has a larger capacity than the other liquid containers. The recording device described in 1.   Of the holding bodies arranged on both sides, one of the holding bodies contains the liquid container containing black liquid alone, and the other holding body contains liquid other than black. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the liquid containers are stored.   The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of liquid containers of the other holding body are held so as not to overlap in a height direction of the casing.   The plurality of liquid containers accommodated in the other holding body have support members having support portions at both ends, and a line connecting the support portions at both ends of the support member is the The recording apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the recording apparatus is accommodated so as to be inclined with respect to an extending direction of an outer surface on which the insertion port is formed in which the recording medium holding unit is inserted.   The plurality of liquid containers of the one holding body have support members having support portions at both end portions, and a line connecting the support portions at both end portions of the support member is one holding portion of the housing. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording apparatus is accommodated along an extending direction of an outer surface on which the body is disposed.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the holding body is disposed at a position 50 mm higher than a bottom surface of the housing. An image forming apparatus having a reading device disposed on the housing and having a reading surface for reading a medium;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the holding body is disposed to be lower than a height of the reading surface of the image forming apparatus.

Images